Soul Legends, North-East tour
BOASTING that it ‘features more soul classics than any other production’, Soul Legends show producer, Michael Taylor, has a 32-song score to tempt audiences to step back into music history.
It’s always easier to look back on music innovation and call it history. Soul music emerged from the American melting pot of gospel and doo-wop, from an unstoppable trend towards black and white integration, at a time when more and more white people accepted the idea that black culture was simply different and exciting. Soul Music combined elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues and jazz.
Taylor says: “It’s all aboard the sensational soul train show of the year. We embark from soul’s heady 1960s origins, steaming, non-stop, through to the present day, via everyone’s favourite 1970s and 1980s dance classics.
“Only a production featuring an all-star cast, truly gifted musicians, elaborately authentic costumes and jaw-dropping choreography could do justice to the passion and fervour of everyone’s favourite soul classics. Hits include: Respect, Soul Man, Ain’t Nobody, Knock On Wood, Midnight Hour, Proud Mary, You’re My First My Last My Everything, Best Of My Love, River Deep Mountain High, Ain’t No Stopping Us Now, Beat It, Three Times a Lady, Get Down on It, I Feel Good....”
Spanning the decades from soul’s heady 1960s origins to the present day with slick choreography, 16 costume changes, the Soul Legends live band brings life to the music of Aretha Franklin and fellow soul legends like James Brown, Tina Turner, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, Michael Jackson, Barry White, George Benson and Lionel Richie.
And on selected dates, Gwen Dickey, the voice of super group Rose Royce, performs her number one hits: Wishing on a Star, Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, Is It Love You’re After and the unforgettable Car Wash. Jimmy James brings his hits such as Now Is The Time and I’ll Go Where The Music Takes Me to stages across the UK. Jaki Graham dips into her chart-topping roster that includes soul hits like Could it be I’m Falling in Love, Set Me Free, Round and Around, Ain’t Nobody, Mated, Step Right Up and Breaking Away.
Billingham Forum Theatre - December 19 and 20. Box Office: 01642-552663 and forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk
Sage Gateshead - March 20. 0191-443-4661 sagegateshead.com
Empire Theatre, Consett - September 18. 01207-218171 leisureworks.net
Helen Brown
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